Having Operating Mechanism Patents (Class 403/45)
  • Patent number: 11686936
    Abstract: A head up display mirror holder arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a picture generation unit producing a light field. A mirror reflects the light field such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image. A mirror holder has two opposite ends and an activation feature. The two opposite ends are aligned along a rotational axis of the mirror. The mirror holder retains the mirror. Each of two bushings is coupled to a respective opposite end of the mirror holder. A calibration switch has minimum proximity to the activation feature of the mirror holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Edo Omanovic, Patrick M. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 11181738
    Abstract: A head up display mirror holder arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a picture generation unit producing a light field. A mirror reflects the light field such that the light field is visible to the driver as a virtual image. A mirror holder has two opposite ends and an activation feature. The two opposite ends are aligned along a rotational axis of the mirror. The mirror holder retains the mirror. Each of two bushings is coupled to a respective opposite end of the mirror holder. A calibration switch has minimum proximity to the activation feature of the mirror holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
    Inventors: Edo Omanovic, Patrick M. O'Connell
  • Patent number: 10995477
    Abstract: A coupler guard configured to protect an aux coupler assembly from side impacts in the rough use environment of a loader. The coupler guard comprises an encasement and a side plate. The loader comprises the aux coupler assembly and a hinge extension. The encasement wraps around a top portion and interior side of the aux coupler assembly. The side plate attaches to a portion of the encasement and protect an exterior side portion of the aux coupler assembly. A screw assemblies selectively attaches the encasement to the side plate. A ring attaches to a portion of the side plate. The ring selectively wraps around a portion of the hinge extension of the loader. A ring screw assembly selectively holds the ring and the rest of the coupler guard to the hinge extension. An edge trim selectively sits on top of a portion of a first arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventor: William Lewis
  • Patent number: 8505879
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a rigid tie down in the field of mechanics, which addresses the problems of the existing tie downs, for example, they occupy a large space and have a low binding efficiency. The rigid tie down comprises a body, a first hook and a second hook provided on both ends of the body, and a handle connected to the body. The body has a cylindrical shape. The first hook has a first screw thereon, and the second hook has a second screw thereon. The first screw is threadedly connected with one end of the body, and the second screw is threadedly connected with the other end of the body. The direction of the threads of the first screw is reverse to that of the second screw. The rigid tie down could be operated in a convenient manner, have a high binding efficiency and occupy a small space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Zhejiang Topsun Logistic Control Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Buqin Ruan
  • Patent number: 8506199
    Abstract: A structural unit, e.g., a tie rod, that has a tube which is provided with an internal thread, on at least one surface thereof, which is threaded in a first rotational direction, and into the end of which a threaded sleeve is screwed. The threaded sleeve has an internal thread which is threaded in a second direction, opposite to the first rotational direction, and has a shank screwed into the sleeve. The entire threaded sleeve is accommodated within the tube, and the threaded sleeve has a coupling contour on the opening side of the tube. A method of applying the structural unit such that, by rotating the threaded sleeve within the tube, the shank and the tube are moved in opposite directions. In the method, the coupling contour of the threaded sleeve serves to introduce the torque required for rotational motion of the threaded sleeve by way of a tool or an adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Stefan Rump, Andreas Rosengarten, Dirk Sokolihs
  • Publication number: 20100034578
    Abstract: A turnbuckle for an anti-skid chain that can be mounted on the wheel of a vehicle. A tension cable is connected inside the turnbuckle housing to a winding roll that is pre-stressed in the winding-up direction and mounted so that it can be rotated about its axle. A ratchet wheel with at least one ratchet catch allocated to it is provided on the winding roll and the tension cable can be blocked against its direction of tension by gripping of the ratchet catch into the ratchet wheel. The ratchet catch is moved at least incrementally outwards from the idle position when the wheel isn't moving, in which it is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the tension cable is not blocked, under the action of the centrifugal force upon rotation of the wheel, and this movement effects a gripping of the ratchet catch into the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: pewag Schneeketten GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ägyd Pengg
  • Patent number: 7552913
    Abstract: A load binder mechanism is disclosed that has an improved arrangement for connecting the hook and shaft end portions of the load binder to the elongated axially extending tubular body. The load binder mechanism of the present invention provides an axially extending tubular body having opposed end portions, each end portion being fitted with a sleeve that has both internal and external threads. The load binder mechanism includes first and second attachment members, each providing a shaft with an externally threaded portion. The attachment member shafts have respective right and left-hand thread patterns that engage correspondingly threaded internal bore sections of the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventors: Robert S. Amoss, Mark Amoss
  • Patent number: 7249907
    Abstract: A spring loaded tensioning device. The device includes an elongated tubular member containing a spring loaded rod which extends through a lower stop on the tubular member to an attachment feature such as a hook. At the upper end of the tubular member, a pivot housing is provided to secure a pivotable handle, as well as to provide apertures for locking the device via pin, or a padlock or similar device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Inventor: Jon D. Kay
  • Patent number: 7237977
    Abstract: A load indicator for a spring loaded tensioning device. The indicator comprises an o-ring displaceable along a spring loaded tensionable shaft in a turnbuckle device. When the turnbuckle is unloaded, the indicator device is placed in a known position relative to an indicating mark. When the turnbuckle is loaded, the load causes the load indicator to be displaced a known distance for a known load on the spring loaded turnbuckle. For camper tie-downs, a displacement of about one-quarter inch is desirable for a load of about 300 pounds tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventor: Jon D. Kay
  • Patent number: 7086801
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement for enabling fixing of a body structure member and a structure member. The coupling arrangement includes, at least two threaded tubes provided one in either end portion of a passage through a housing. The housing is fixed attachable in relation to the structure members and includes a threaded passage, wherein a threaded bolt is arranged through the passage. The threaded bolt is adapted to connect the body structure member and the structure member in a coupling position, from which coupling position the threaded bolt, via inserts, enables adjusting operation of the threaded tubes in opposite directions along the threaded bolt. Thus, the threaded tubes are adjustable to a respective fixed position by screwing the threaded bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Swahn, Tom Stoddart
  • Patent number: 6718663
    Abstract: A coupler assembly for detachably connecting an implement provided with a pair of mounting pins to a machine-having a dipper stick and at least one tilt link, generally consisting of a body pivotally connectable to such dipper stick and such pivot link, a first jaw portion engageable with one of the implement connecting pins and a pair of opposed guide slots; a jaw member mounted on the body and cooperable with the guide slots for displacement along a line of travel, engageable with the other of the implement connecting pins; and structure for displacing the jaw member along such line of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Rockland, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Geraghty
  • Patent number: 6238123
    Abstract: Two structural parts are interconnected by a distance holder disposed therebetween. The distance holder includes two supporting bodies and a control element. The supporting bodies are connected to the control element such than an axial spreading-out of the supporting bodies occurs in response to rotation of the control element, whereby the supporting bodies engage respective ones of the structural parts. The supporting bodies are held against rotation about the axis, whereby the structural parts do not become scratched by the supporting bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Jörg Schwarzbich
  • Patent number: 6161981
    Abstract: A turnbuckle comprises first and second fastening parts, the first fastening part having a first end fitting and a first rod-shaped portion, and the second fastening part having a second end fitting and a second rod-shaped portion, at least the first of which rod-shaped portions is formed with threads. The turnbuckle further comprises a tightening device comprising first and second tightening members, each having an outer end piece and an inner end piece. The outer end piece of at least the first tightening member has a threaded through-hole to receive in screw engagement the threaded rod portion of the first fastening part. The inner end piece of the second tightening member has a threaded through-hole also to receive in screw engagement the threaded rod portion of the first fastening part. The tightening device is arranged to assume at least two different elongation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: All Set Marine Lashing AB
    Inventor: Par Dehlin
  • Patent number: 5803641
    Abstract: A device to be used in inserting the individual tension elements of a freely tensioned tension member, for example, a stay cable for a cable-stayed bridge, into a tubular sheathing. A guide element to be attached to the front end of an individual element includes an expansion member whose diameter in its non-expanded state corresponds approximately to the diameter of the individual element, while the diameter in the expanded state is greater than the diameter of the individual element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Dyckerhoff & Widmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oswald Nutzel
  • Patent number: 5730541
    Abstract: A main mount (52) having a central hub (58) is secured to a turnbuckle. A ring gear (66) surrounds the hub. A motionless bearing (70) fits over the hub and is held in place with a locking ring (82). The motionless bearing (70) includes several bores that receive a driving bit (90) that engages the ring gear. As the driving bit is rotated, the main mount is rotated about the motionless bearing thereby tightening or loosening the turnbuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Inventors: Neal K. Duett, Daniel W. Curtis
  • Patent number: 5466083
    Abstract: This patent is basically an Engineering design of a means to vary the length of a rod of two parts that are coupled together by an electrically operated motorized turnbuckle which can be activated remotely when it is difficult or impossible to access directly. This is accomplished by holding a wand that induces positive or negative pulses to the electrically operated motorized turnbuckle according to the direction of rotation desired for the electrically operated motorized turnbuckle to turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Inventor: John M. Hogg
  • Patent number: 5360313
    Abstract: A coupling for a heavy-duty machine to be used between a boom and a stick having a working tool for quick coupling and decoupling of the stick to the boom for the exchange of tools and being operable from the cab or operator's station on the machine without requiring the need for one or more persons or machines at the coupling during the coupling and decoupling process. The coupling also includes a unique locking mechanism that can be remotely controlled to lock and unlock the coupling when they are in mating engagement. The coupling includes a male member attachable to the boom of the machine and a female member connected to the stick. The male member is pivotally mounted at one end on the boom and connected at the other end to a hydraulic cylinder on the boom for articulating the male member on the boom. The male member further includes a grabber at one end and a picker at the other end for interchangeable use to guide the joining of the coupler members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Gilmore Transportation Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Gilmore, Jr., Dale R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5335965
    Abstract: Cushion (50) for anatomical support, especially of the lumbar and cervical regions, for mounting onto backs (42) of seats (41) generally, includes a curved elastic plate (51) having longitudinal ends connected by a posterior brace formed by a pair (55, 60) of rods threaded in opposite directions that screw into an intermediately placed cylindrical scroll (63) so that it is possible to vary the convexity of the plate (51) and therefore the extent to which the cushion projects from the seat back (42) by rotation of the scroll (63) in one direction or the other. It is also possible to adjust the height of the cushion, when placed inside the seat back (42), by a special internal mechanism (51, 71, 72, 74) operated by a knob (45) placed on the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Inventor: Lorenza Sessini
  • Patent number: 5310273
    Abstract: A joint structure for removably attaching a ball member to an end of a bar member to form a truss structure is disclosed having an engagement member attached to the ball member, which engagement member has an exterior portion extending outwardly of the outer surface of the ball member, and an attachment device associated with the end of the bar member which removably engages the exterior portion of the engagement member. The joint structure according to the present invention may be utilized with bar members with or without tension rods extending through the bar member. The ball structure may be a spherical shell made of metal or fiber reinforced plastic which is located within a hollow concrete sphere. The spherical shell is not removed from the interior of the concrete sphere, but, instead, is used to increase the tensile force resistance of the ball member. The spherical shell may be imbedded in the ball member at the time of forming the concrete ball and can be used as a molding core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Nakamura Kensetsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Hara
  • Patent number: 4938623
    Abstract: A locking bar for blocking relative movement of movable parts of a device, particularly providing anti-theft nature to devices such as wheelchairs which would probably be manipulated to a collapsed condition as an incident to a theft of the device; and anti-theft nature is especially provided by the locking bar made to appear to be merely a non-removable axle, yet made shortenable for removal, and thus chair-collapsability by authorized personnel, by an internal sliding operativity which is concealed but which achieves length-changing be engagement of screw-threaded parts to permit manual torque-application to movable parts to achieve the length-changing, the sliding member being a socket whose sliding into or from its length-changed position is effected merely by tilting to achieve positioning by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Leads Metal Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry G. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4931008
    Abstract: A vibrating portable screed of the type made up of sections having screed blade means at the base and a ridge portion at the top employs a turnbuckle assembly in the ridge portion held together by a removable pin and other removable pin connected means in the base portion thereby enabling the sections to be quickly assembled and disassembled by installing and removing the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Inventor: Donald R. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4729707
    Abstract: A double end stud has a shank member including a central slide shank portion and threaded portions formed coaxially on both axial ends of the slide shank portion. The threaded portions are externally threaded in opposite directions. The double end stud also has a nut member carried by the slide shank portion of the shank member slidably in the axial direction but not rotatably with respect to the slide shank portion. In use, the nut portion is moved axially as the threaded portions are screwed into female thread portions of the two structural members to be connected, so that the depth of penetration of the double end stud into both structural members are optimized to ensure a high strength of connection between these structural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4538523
    Abstract: A bellows for use between two parts of a vehicle connected to each other by a pivot. Each of the facing ends of the vehicle parts, to which the bellows is connected, has a grooved formation extending in the circumferential direction of the bellows. Each end of the bellows carries a flexible but non-stretchable cable sized for accommodation within the grooved formation. In one version of the invention a cooperating toggle and turnbuckle arrangement interconnects the ends of the cable for tensioning the latter after it is placed in the grooved formation so as to attach the end of the bellows to one of the vehicle parts. In a second version the toggles are jointly operated by a common rotary disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Hubner Gummi-Und Kunstsoff GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Koch
  • Patent number: 4484856
    Abstract: A circumferentially extending structure 30 for containing particles having an axial component of velocity and a radial component of velocity is disclosed. The structure includes an inner casing, such as the first casing 48, and an outer casing, such as the second casing 50. The outer casing is flexible. The outer casing is formed of a plurality of layers of fabric and a means for applying a load to the fabric such as a plurality of bars 80, 82 and turnbuckles 74. A method of forming the structure is disclosed. The method includes the step of wrapping a fabric having a first length about the inner casing and the step of stretching the fabric to a second length to affect the operative response of the fabric to the impact of a particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1984
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Angelo M. Patacca
  • Patent number: 4475864
    Abstract: A circumferentially extending apparatus 46 for containing particles having an axial component and a radial component of velocity is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of a support structure 48 and a flexible casing 50 formed of a fabric 78. The external surface of the support structure has a first diameter and a second diameter not equal to the first diameter at a location spaced axially from the location of the first diameter. The fabric is preloaded to increase the length of the fabric and is wrapped under tension about the surface of the support structure such that the installed length of the fabric is greater than the free length of the fabric. A method for forming the circumferentially extending structure is disclosed which includes the steps of forming a support structure and wrapping a preloaded fabric about the support structure to cause an elongation of the fabric and tension in the fabric in the installed condition, which varies depending on the diameter of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Angelo M. Patacca, Emile J. Premont
  • Patent number: 4457117
    Abstract: A modular room divider system has plural upright juxtaposed panels having cylindrical anchor receiving apertures disposed about upright axes in the panels top and bottom surfaces. A coupling assembly has a pair of spaced apart anchors mating with the anchor apertures. Threaded portions having opposingly directed right and left hand threads extend inwardly from the anchors and are centrally engaged by an internally threaded sleeve having adjacent right and left hand threaded portions. The sleeve has a square prismoidal exterior surface and is traverseable by a notched wheel having a mating central aperture. A channel extends from the anchor apertures to the edge of each channel.In use, two panels are assembled by placing them in juxtaposition. The coupling assembly is placed in alignment over the panels, the anchors being lowered into the anchor apertures and the threaded portions over corresponding channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Benedetti Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred J. Leiher, Daniel Schmid, Myrl D. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4452563
    Abstract: A circumferentially extending structure 30 for containing particles having an axial component of velocity and a radial component of velocity is disclosed. The structure includes an inner casing 48 and an outer casing 50. The outer casing is formed of a plurality of layers of flexible fabric and includes layers having differing masses per unit length in the fabric. The layers of fabric extend about the inner casing. A means for applying a load to the fabric engages the fabric to place the fabric in tension. One such means is a plurality of bars 80, 82 and turnbuckles 74. In one embodiment, the fabric has a greater mass per unit length in the leading edge region and a greater tension is applied to the leading edge region than other regions of the fabric. A method of forming the structures is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Homer J. Belanger, Angelo M. Patacca
  • Patent number: 4078821
    Abstract: A utility trailer for towing behind a vehicle, for uses such as carrying a motorcycle. The frame is rectangular and comprised of tubular members, with longitudinal channels on top of the tubular members for receiving motorcycle wheels. A detachable castor wheel supports the frame and is connected to it by means of leaf springs attached to the wheel on opposite sides. Two hitches for connecting the trailer to a vehicle are spaced apart on the forward end of the frame. Each hitch has two tabs, one connected to the vehicle and one to the frame that are coupled together by a pin. The hitch portion that is connected to the frame is L-shaped so that it can be inverted to change the height for different vehicle sizes. The mounting system for securing motorcycles includes a pair of telescoping tubes that are threaded together so that their combined length may be varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Inventor: Lawrence P. Kitterman
  • Patent number: 4068957
    Abstract: A coupling between adjacent ends of transfer bar sections which includes a screw having threads of opposite hand at opposite ends thereof engaged with threaded counterbores in the ends of the two transfer bar sections. A spacer ground precisely to a desired length is clamped between the ends of the bar sections when the screw is tightened. The spacer and screw have radially aligned holes therein to accommodate a tool for tightening the screw. The holes are dimensioned relative to the tool so that the screw can be tightened a final increment without rotating the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: F. Jos. Lamb Company
    Inventors: John H. Brems, John Kobane, Jr., Wilfred J. Zetner